Who Will Be the Next Pontiff After Pope Francis? Check Names of Frontrunners

New Delhi: Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. Pope Francis had suffered from multiple health issues, including a serious bout of double pneumonia, which had recently left him in a "complex" medical condition. 

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in an emotional announcement on the Vatican's TV channel, said, "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis... His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church." The Pope passed away at 7:35 AM local time (5:35 GMT) on Monday.

Pope Francis had been battling severe health challenges in recent months. After being diagnosed with double pneumonia, he underwent a chest X-ray that revealed bilateral pneumonia. 

How is an Heir to St. Peter Elected? 4 Indian Cardinals to Be In Conclave

With the death of Pope Francis, a conclave is likely to take place in the Sistine Chapel of Vatican where the 253 cardinals from around the world will participate in the voting rounds, to determine the next head. For the rounds of voting, cardinals who are above the age of 80, will not be able to participate. As of April 19, the College of Cardinals consists of 252 members, with 135 eligible to vote in the conclave to elect a new pope.

Among the 135 cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming Papal conclave, four hail from India. These include Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. 

Cardinal Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao do Rosario Ferrao: He is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Daman, the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, and the President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. 

Cardinal Anthony Poola: He is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad. 

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal: He is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum for the Syro-Malankara Church and also serves as the President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church.

Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad: He serves as the Cardinal-Deacon of S Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia and is the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. 

Who Are the Frontrunners to Succeed Pope Francis?

After Pope Francis’ passing the attention has turned to the potential candidates who may succeed him. Here are some of the leading names to watch:

1. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of the Congo, 65): Known for his progressive stance on issues like same-sex couples, Cardinal Ambongo is the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

2. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67): Often referred to as the ‘Asian Pope Francis,’ Cardinal Tagle is admired for his advocacy for the marginalized, including LGBT individuals and divorced Catholics.

3. Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta, 67): As the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Grech has emphasized inclusivity, particularly for those excluded from the Church due to marital status or sexual preference.

4. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy, 69): Cardinal Zuppi, a close ally of Pope Francis, is seen as a favorite for the papacy. He has been the Archbishop of Bologna and currently heads the Italian Episcopal Conference.

5. Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Vatican, 70): Serving as the Vatican's Secretary of State for over a decade, Cardinal Parolin is a diplomatic figure with significant political influence.

6. Cardinal Wim Eijk (Netherlands, 70): A conservative figure, Cardinal Eijk has opposed some of Pope Francis' progressive views, particularly regarding civil remarriages and LGBTQ+ issues.

7. Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary, 72): A staunch conservative, Cardinal Erdo has been critical of the Church’s stance on refugees and divorced/remarried Catholics.

8. Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA, 76): One of the most conservative members of the Church, Cardinal Burke has voiced strong opposition to Pope Francis on various issues, including the Church's approach to gays and civil marriages.